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| “He calls His own sheep by name” (John 10:13) |
“Then Moses and Aaron took these men who had been mentioned by name”(Numbers 1:17).
The verses preceding this one called one man from every tribe of Israel by name to be head of his father’s house. God called them by name and made them known to Moses and Aaron. There were, at least, hundreds of thousands of Israelites yet God called these twelve men out to lead by name. He has called you by name, too.
“To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice” (John 10:3-4 emphasis mine). You don’t have to be in a leadership role to be known by Him. He calls each person by name. You know you are His when you follow Him. Whether you follow Him or not, though, He still knows your name. He still invites you to open the door and let Him in. (Revelation 3:20).
“Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them”
(Psalm 139:16-17)! He has known you since before you were born. He was intimately involved with your development even then. When He says He knows your name, He means He knows you. He knows your inward parts, your unique personality, your gifts and calling. He knows your future and He knows His good thoughts toward you. Your name is in His mind, on His heart, and pierced into the palm of His hands and feet. He knows you.
(Psalm 139:16-17)! He has known you since before you were born. He was intimately involved with your development even then. When He says He knows your name, He means He knows you. He knows your inward parts, your unique personality, your gifts and calling. He knows your future and He knows His good thoughts toward you. Your name is in His mind, on His heart, and pierced into the palm of His hands and feet. He knows you.
Are you His today? Do you know Him? Are you following Him? Many people claim to be Christians, but do not follow Him. Scripture is clear in telling us His sheep follow His voice. Are you living a life surrendered to Christ? If yes, rejoice today that He knows your name and it is written in His book of life.
If you are not sure whether or not you are His, simply ask Him with sincerity to come into your heart and show you the way. Commit to following Him and His ways and He will come in and make His home with you. Then you, too, can rejoice that He has called you by name.
“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels”
(Revelation 3:5).
(Revelation 3:5).
Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).
Rejoice!